Pope: Heaven is, "more than a place" it is a "state" in which our deepest expectations will be fulfilled
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Heaven " More than a place, it is a "state of being" in which our deepest expectations will be fulfilled in abundance and our being as creatures and as children of God, will reach full maturity". in catechesis for the general audience today Pope Francis spoke about our final passage to the "Heavenly Jerusalem", starting from the Vatican II statement, that " the Church is not a static reality, an end in itself, but that she is continually journeying through history to the kingdom of heaven, of which the Church on earth is the seed and beginning".
Speaking to the 15 thousand people present in St Peter's Square despite the rain -Pope Francis noted "the weather is not so great, but you are brave, let us pray together today" before speaking of the passage from the conciliar Constitution Gaudium et spes, that states: "We do not know the time for the consummation of the earth and of humanity, nor do we know how all things will be transformed. As deformed by sin, the shape of this world will pass away; but we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling place and a new earth where justice will abide, and whose blessedness will answer and surpass all the longings for peace which spring up in the human heart"(n. 39). This is the goal toward which the Church projects itself: it is the "new Jerusalem", "Paradise." More than a place, it is a "state of being" in which our deepest expectations will be fulfilled in abundance and our being as creatures and as children of God, will reach full maturity. We will finally be covered with the joy, peace and love of God in a complete way, without any limitations, and we will be face to face with Him! (cf. 1 Cor 13:12). It's lovely to think of this, to think we will all find ourselves up there! All of us in heaven. It's good, it gives strength to our soul.
"In this perspective, it is nice to hear that there is a continuity and a communion between the Church in heaven and the Church still journeying on earth. Those who already live in the sight of God can indeed support us and intercede for us, pray for us from heaven. On the other hand, we are always invited to offer good deeds, prayer and the Eucharist itself to alleviate the suffering of souls who are still waiting for the bliss without end. Yes, because in the Christian perspective, the distinction is not between those who are already dead and those who are not, but between those who are in Christ and those who are not! This is the determining factor, really decisive for our salvation and for our happiness".
"At the same time, the Holy Scripture teaches us that the fulfillment of this wonderful design also affects everything around us, and that came out of the thought and the heart of God. The Apostle Paul explicitly says as much, when he says that "creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Rom 8:21). Other texts use the image of the "new heaven" and the "new earth" (cf. 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21,1), in the sense that the whole universe will be renovated and will be liberated once and for all from all traces of evil and death itself. What lies ahead, as the fulfillment of a transformation that is actually already in place since the death and resurrection of Christ, is therefore a new creation. It is not an annihilation of the universe and all that surrounds us, rather it brings everything to its fullness of being, truth and beauty. This is the plan that God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, always want to accomplish and is realizing".
In his greetings in Italian, finally, the Pope asked for prayers for his upcoming trip to Turkey. "As you know - he said - from next Friday to Sunday I will travel to Turkey on an Apostolic Journey. I invite you all to pray that this visit of Peter to his brother Andrew bear fruits of peace, sincere dialogue between religions and concord for the Turkish nation."
.png)
09/10/2017 10:53
28/06/2023 18:10
